Should you use a DNR order in your estate plan?

On Behalf of | Jan 14, 2025 | Estate Planning

If your heart stops beating or you stop breathing, medical professionals may use CPR to try to resuscitate you. In many cases, emergency treatment can save your life.

However, some individuals do not want CPR to be used. For example, you may worry about the risk of brain damage or the overall impact on your mental and physical health after undergoing CPR, and you may decide you don’t want to take that risk.

To address this, you could include a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order in your estate plan. As the name implies, this order is straightforward and directs medical professionals not to perform CPR. While they may provide other types of treatment, they will not attempt resuscitation.

Is there a better option?

You can certainly use a DNR order if you wish, and many people do. However, there may be a better option: A medical power of attorney.

The challenge with a DNR order is that it requires you to guess in advance about what type of treatment you would want in an unknown future situation. You won’t be able to communicate with your medical team at the time of the emergency.

With a medical power of attorney, however, you can designate an agent to make medical decisions on your behalf. For instance, if doctors tell your agent that there’s a high likelihood of a full recovery with minimal long-term effects, your agent may authorize the use of CPR. The key advantage of a power of attorney is that your agent can discuss treatment options and potential outcomes with the doctors, rather than relying on predetermined instructions.

Exploring your options

A DNR order and a medical power of attorney are just two examples of estate planning tools you can use to address medical decisions. Take the time to carefully explore your legal options.